A Texas State University student has been expelled following the creation and circulation of a viral video depicting the re-enactment of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The incident, which occurred during a memorial event on campus, prompted swift condemnation from Texas Governor Greg Abbott and led to the student’s immediate removal from the university.
The Viral Incident at Texas State
The disturbing video footage emerged from a memorial event held on the Texas State University campus, reportedly organized by a local chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), an organization co-founded by Charlie Kirk. The video shows a male student mimicking the violent death of Kirk, who was fatally shot in Utah earlier in September 2025. Witnesses reported the student slapping his neck multiple times to simulate the gunshot, using profanity towards the attendees, and staging his death by falling onto a statue base. Onlookers in the video can be heard laughing and filming the re-enactment. The student also reportedly made dismissive remarks towards the TPUSA members present.
Governor Abbott’s Swift Intervention
Upon viewing the video, Governor Greg Abbott immediately took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to demand action from Texas State University. Abbott shared the video, stating, “This conduct is not accepted at our schools. Expel this student immediately. Mocking assassination must have consequences”. His firm stance amplified public outrage and put pressure on the university administration to respond decisively. Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse confirmed that the university had identified the individual in the video and that he was “no longer a student” at the institution. In a statement, Damphousse condemned the behavior as “antithetical to our Texas State values” and “reprehensible,” adding that “expressions that glorify violence or murder have no place on our campuses”. Federal law prevents the university from releasing further details about the student’s conduct.
Charlie Kirk’s Assassination and Political Polarization
Charlie Kirk, a prominent 31-year-old conservative influencer, author, and media personality, was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The incident occurred during his “American Comeback Tour,” an event designed to energize young conservative voters and promote debate on college campuses. Authorities described the shooting as a “political assassination” amid a backdrop of extreme political polarization in the United States. Kirk was a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump and the co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, an organization known for its advocacy on conservative principles in educational institutions. His death sent shockwaves through conservative circles and drew widespread condemnation.
Related Incidents and Broader Campus Tensions
The Texas State incident was not isolated. Shortly before, an 18-year-old Texas Tech University student, Camryn Giselle Booker, was arrested and subsequently expelled for similar behavior during a vigil honoring Charlie Kirk. Video showed Booker making derogatory remarks about Kirk’s death, including “F— y’all homie dead, he got shot in the head”. Governor Abbott also commented on the Texas Tech situation, with the university stating that such behavior “denigrates victims of violence” and has “no place on our campus”. These events have ignited discussions about free speech, campus conduct, and the appropriate response to expressions of insensitivity or mockery surrounding acts of political violence.
Conclusion: A Continuing Debate
The expulsion of the Texas State student underscores the zero-tolerance policy many educational institutions, supported by state leaders like Governor Abbott, are adopting towards behavior perceived as glorifying violence or disrespecting victims. The rapid action taken by Texas State University, driven by public outcry and direct gubernatorial pressure, highlights the sensitive and often contentious environment surrounding political discourse on American campuses. As these incidents continue to surface, they fuel ongoing debates about where the lines of free expression should be drawn, particularly when they intersect with acts of political violence and public mourning. This case represents a significant development in trending news across Texas and the nation.
